D. Renovating Lawn

Renovating lawn is where we talk about the different options you have. this will allow you to determine the best method for your particular situation.

We want to show you some pros and cons of each lawn renovation method. Which method you choose will be based on your problem, budget, and how environmentally conscious you are.

You may also want to consider alternative ground covers for your most troublesome areas. This could be gravel, mulch, or decorative rock under trees, along driveways, and between houses. Remember what we said in the intro?

Your new lawn may not thrive where your old lawn was failing.

Renovating a lawn requires you to make a decision if you are going to either replace your lawn, or rebuild it.

The quest for the perfect lawn. I like analogies, so let's give you one that may help you understand this situation easier. Just in case you are wondering, “YES, I have owned a few money pits over the years.” So here it is.

The Money Pit

An unhealthy lawn is like having a car that constantly needs repairs. Eventually, it will become a money pit.

Money pits are usually older and less efficient, and are also the worst air pollutants.

There comes that point in time when you have to stop repairing it, and just buy a new one. The toughest decision to make is when “enough is enough”.

It is possible to do the same thing with an unhealthy lawn. People often throw money at a lawn over the years in chemical sprays, and fertilizers with no success. If you noticed we didn't give repair options in the very first section on “Grass Problems”, here is why.

We wanted you to read the section on soil problems next. We don't want people trying to fix a lawn, before they understand the close relationship between lawn problems and soil problems.

Soil is the “Lifeblood” or “Engine” of your lawn. There is no point in putting money in a car on parts, if the engine is shot. The sames goes for lawn repair. This is the most important information we can give you on renovating a lawn.

There is no point in fixing your grass, if your soil is no good.

A couple of important things to keep in mind before you begin.

Irrigation

For those of you with existing irrigation, we recommend talking to your service provider for helpful advice on what you are planning to do. They may have to raise the irrigation heads to accommodate your work. It's better to have this talk before you begin, so you can plan for these adjustments accordingly.

Subcontract work to others when it makes sense

I have had the pleasure of using shovels, rototillers, sod strippers, and bobcats to renovate yards. I have done it the easy way, and the hard way. The easy way costs more money, and the hard way costs you time and energy.

Here is our advice to you. Pick your battles accordingly, because the money you save may not always be worth it.

You always have to value your time. We all know that time IS money. If you could be working at something else making money, maybe you should. Taking a couple of days off work may cost you hundreds of dollars. Do the math on each task to determine if it is worth it in the end.

Just like old cars, you also have these two main options for your lawn. Replacing lawns, or rebuilding lawns. How to replace a lawn will be the next section, followed by rebuilding methods.

So let's move on to Replace Lawn.

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Table of Contents: Lawn Problems

Lawn Problems: Introduction

C. Lawn Repair

2. Adding Soil Over Grass